We are currently recruiting for:

Learning Disability Project Workers - £18700 - £19200 p.a. (pro rata for part time staff)

Both full and part time roles are available (a minimum of 3 days a week)

No shift work or evening/weekend work 

Do you have a passion for making the difference to someone’s life? Do you have patience and a good sense of fun? Do you wonder what it would be like to be able to help people learn life skills and practical areas so they can live independently.

At Talkback our Vision is ‘To help everyone with a learning disability or autism embrace new opportunities, lead the fulfilling lives they want and actively contribute to their local community.'

Our Project Workers play a vital part of that vision and are responsible for planning and delivering creative, fun, and engaging sessions that enable people to progress and develop their independence.

Core projects that staff work on include, social and life skills training, sports and wellbeing, men’s and women’s groups, a drama group which puts on regular shows, an upcycling and woodwork enterprise, gardening and allotment groups, work experience and a creative arts group.

We embrace staff from different working backgrounds who can use their experience and talents to benefit the lives of people with a learning disability or autism. If you have the passion and desire, we can provide the training and support.

As part of the role, you will work across Buckinghamshire at both our High Wycombe and Aylesbury locations, plus out in the community. You will work alongside people with a learning disability, aged 23 years and older, to meet their individual needs to achieve positive outcomes.

To succeed you will be able to work as part of a team and independently and have a 'can do' attitude. You will need to have good communication skills, as well a desire to help people with a learning disability learn new skills, access employment opportunities and build friendships.

In addition to our building based service, Talkback deliver virtual sessions via platforms such as Zoom. This addition to our traditional service was developed during the Covid-19 lockdown and not only provides vital support for people unable to attend a building based services but connects our current sites and enables a wider range of activities to be shared with our members.

You will have the opportunity to help someone develop and grow as a person whilst making a difference that will live with you forever. And, as one of our team said ‘Working with people with a learning disability is the most rewarding and fulfilling role’

If you want to make a lasting difference to people we want to talk to you.

Closing date 5th November

We are recruiting for a new role in our growing organisation. The Head of Services will be responsible for the operational management of all service delivery; ensuring quality and impact and producing service development and delivery plans with their direct reports.

The postholder works closely with the Chief Executive and Head of Finance & Resources as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to income generation and operational strategies. They will lead, manage, develop and monitor service managers and processes, staffing structures and robust quality improvement procedures, underpinning Age UK Merton’s continued sustainability and growth.

The postholder will oversee core service delivery functions, holding responsibility for developing and implementing policies and procedures. In addition, the Head of Services will hold relationships with funding and delivery partners, producing monitoring reports and evaluation to ensure sustainability and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• To assist the CEO and Board in formulating strategy for the future direction and development of Age UK Merton
• To work with clients, staff and stakeholders to identify the needs of older adults and identify new and existing services to improve health and wellbeing outcomes
• Support the CEO and Head of Finance & Resources with grant funding and contract bids by developing Project Initiation Documentation for review and implementation
• To develop new services based on identification of the needs of older adults using data, qualitative feedback and system knowledge
• To encourage and facilitate the involvement of older people in service development

Operational development & delivery

• Ensure appropriate risk management policies and processes are embedded throughout the charity and maintained within the Risk Register taking remedial action where necessary
• To ensure that all monitoring and evaluation requirements are completed accurately and promptly across the organisation, using the Charity’s secure database
• To ensure that Age UK Merton has complaint policies and procedures, including Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Health and Safety, HR, Safeguarding, Risk and Complaints

People & relationships

• To performance manage and support the staff, both directly and through delegation, to ensure service delivery is of a high standard throughout the organisation
• To ensure that the relevant personnel policies and procedures are in place, regularly reviewed and followed, including regular supervision, support and appraisals
• To build partnerships, both formal and informal, and work with other organisations within the borough and its neighbours
• To develop and maintain knowledge of local services and keep in touch with new developments, particularly with respect to developments in health and social care provision
• To promote good practice in the recruitment, induction, training and supervision of volunteers

Monitoring & evaluation

• To define outcomes against which the quality of the organisation’s activities can be measured, including appropriate monitoring of contracts and services in conjunction with service managers
• To ensure delivery of the Charity’s obligations under its grant/contract/service agreements with funders.
• Prepare monitoring reports and information to support the CEO with reporting to funders and the Board of Trustees
• Supporting CEO to prepare the Annual Report

Operations

• Liaison with our contracted HR advisors, as required

• In conjunction with the CEO and Head of Finance & Resources, develop and update Age UK Merton’s operational policies and procedures in line with review dates and updates to relevant legislation
• Setting Health and Safety standards for staff and volunteers to follow on Age UK premises and in the community

Age UK Merton is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. We strongly value diversity, promote equality, and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and people with lived experience of disability.

We are recruiting to a new Head of Finance & Resources role to support the leadership and growth of our charity.

The Head of Finance & Resources is responsible for the management of Age UK Merton’s finances and core operational functions. This role is accountable for the finance department; overseeing day to day finance operations; managing financial monitoring and control including preparation of the annual budget, management accounts and forecasts; and preparing for the annual Independent Examination.

This role will also work collaboratively with the Finance Committee, and the Board to deliver sound financial advice and support to contribute towards strategic decision making. In addition, the role will oversee core operational functions, including facility management, supplier contracts and administration.

The postholder works closely with the Chief Executive and Head of Services as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

The postholder attends and manages the business of the AUK Merton Finance Committee and briefs the members on strategic financial planning, financial performance, treasury management and risk management.

Key responsibilities

Finance

• Line management of the Bookkeeper, providing supervision, quality control and support
• Support and oversee the Accounts Receivable function for At Home services, which provides support for older people in their homes at an hourly rate
• Oversees the Charity’s outsourced payroll provider
• Ensure that an accurate and timely organisational annual budget is prepared for approval by the CEO & Trustees in February each year
• Prepare quarterly management accounts, variance analysis and forecasts for presentation to the Board
• Develop and maintain an accurate cash flow position/forecast and funding pipeline
• Support the CEO and Head of Services with grant funding and contract bids by preparing full cost recovery budgets and providing other financial information
• Support the CEO to analyse financial performance, address threats and capitalise on opportunities across all income streams
• Prepare fund reporting information to support the CEO and Head of Services with monitoring reports for funders
• Ensure that the organisation is fully prepared for its annual independent examination including preparation of year end file, payroll reconciliation and liaising with the Independent Examiner
• Supporting CEO to prepare the Annual Report
• Ensure the Independent Examiner recommendations are considered and implemented
• Ensure statutory reporting is completed for Companies House and Charity Commission
• Ensure appropriate risk management policies and processes are embedded throughout the charity and maintained within the Risk Register
• Work with the CEO and Service Managers to review and support the implementation of required new financial processes
• Ensure that the financial policies and procedures are fit for purpose and up to date.
• Work with service managers to ensure understanding, implementation and compliance with all financial procedures

Facility, Systems & Resources

• To ensure that satisfactory personnel records are kept in relation to sickness, leave, working hours (including flexible work-times and time off in lieu) and staff performance.
• Liaison with our contracted HR advisors.

• To manage supplier relationships and service contracts for utilities, IT, communications, office supplies, printing/copying etc. reviewing expenditure against budget and seeking new suppliers as required
• To manage the Office Administrator, ensuring that day to date operational and administrative functions are conducted efficiently to enable high quality service delivery
• In conjunction with the CEO and Head of Services, develop and update Age UK Merton’s operational policies and procedures in line with review dates and updates to relevant legislation
• To act as Data Protection Officer for Age UK Merton and support the charity to remain compliant with Data Protection legislation
• Through the Office Administrator manage induction and agreements for new room hire customers

Equal Opportunities

Age UK Merton is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. We strongly value diversity, promote equality, and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and people with lived experience of disability.

We are currently recruiting for:

Community & College Skills Project Workers – Learning Assistants - £18700- £19200 p.a. or pro rata

Both full and part time roles available (a minimum of 3 days a week)

Full year and term time roles available

No shift work or evening/weekend work

Are you a caring person that wants to see young people with autism develop in learning life skills?

Are you patient and able to communicate to young people in a way they engage with?

Are you wanting to use your life experience to really impact someone’s life?

Due to an increasing demand for our service, we have Community Living Skills vacancies to deliver a range of services to students with a learning disability and/or autism. Within the Equip Project, you will support young people, aged 16 - 23, to meet the outcomes on their Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCP). For some of our learners we provide 1:1 support in college, to support them to achieve their course. We also deliver a range of community groups to help learners develop their social skills, confidence, life skills and independence. These include, but are not limited to, Independent Living Groups, Women’s & Men’s Groups, Creative Media Groups, Art Groups & Travel Training Groups. In addition, we offer a range of work experience opportunities including horticulture, working with animals, retail & mechanics.

You will work at our High Wycombe and Aylesbury buildings, plus in local colleges and out in the community. You will work alongside people with a learning disability or autism to meet their individual needs and support young people with their families to achieve positive outcomes.

To succeed you will be able to work both as part of a team and independently and have a 'can do' attitude. You will need to have good communication skills and an understanding of both self-advocacy and inclusion. We can teach you all you need to know; you just need to have the passion and care.

You will have the opportunity to help someone develop and grow as a person whilst making a difference that will live with you forever. And, as one of our team said, ‘Working with people with a learning disability or autism is the most rewarding and fulfilling role I have ever had.’

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including a Disclosure & Barring Service check (DBS) including checks with past employers (Applicant Declaration must be completed and returned with application).

“This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults with care and support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment”

Closing date: 5th November

Working as part of the TLG centre team in TLG Nottingham, the Teaching Assistant post provides a unique opportunity to support young people experiencing educational crisis.

TLG Nottingham is an Independent School delivering alternative education provision that delivers tailored social and educational interventions for young people. As the Teaching Assistant, you will play an integral role in enabling young people to get their lives back on track, through delivering innovative programmes and working with the Centre Manager to ensure that the education centre achieves success.

You will be part of a dedicated team committed to helping young people progress. The role involves providing support to students in lessons, planning and teaching PSHE, RE and Citizenship subjects, assisting with the planning and delivery of lessons as a crucial member of the team, leading sessions as timetabled, and bringing excellence to the young people’s learning experience. The individual will also act as a link between TLG’s students, their families and the church community.

We are looking to recruit an individual with a strong and compassionate Christian faith. TLG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff including volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Initial interviews will take place on Thursday 4th November and final interviews on Thursday 11th November 2021.

Digital Officer - £38,478 per annum raising to £42,529 following two years’ service – Full-time – Permanent – Central London with flexible working

The RCR is a great place to work, with an ambitious agenda. At the forefront of the health agenda, our members diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, stroke and more, whilst leading on innovations including AI, skills mix and community diagnostic hubs. As Covid recedes and the cancer backlog rises up the agenda, our members’ work and views have never been more important.

We’re looking to recruit a Digital Officer who will be key in driving forward the development of the RCR’s websites and wider digital communications, helping to ensure we have the best platforms in which to deliver our messages. The role will lead on developing a digital first approach and ensuring we put the experiences of our members and audiences at the heart of our work. The successful candidate will play a key role in the redevelopment of the RCR’s website, working alongside the website project manager to create a new digital presence for the RCR.

As such, we’re looking for a team player with experience of managing website using content management systems to come and join our Marketing and Digital Team. The successful candidate will need an excellent understanding of the principles of web accessibility, UX design and SEO to ensure our digital presence is as impactful as possible.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, then please see the RCR website where you can find out more about the role, the Marketing and Digital Team and the RCR, along with instructions on how to apply. The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 24 October 2021. First stage interviews are scheduled for Thursday 28 October with the final stage of the selection process taking place on Tuesday 2 and Friday 5 November.

WATCH specialises in peer support across the whole of Somerset by providing workshops/courses for individuals to come together and make valuable connections enabling them to maintain their own wellbeing, build self-resilience, and develop skills that support their recovery journey. We model and provide Peer Support Training including forming peer groups. WATCH also supports adults who have experienced mental health difficulties and are interested in training to become a peer volunteer and go on to either volunteering or a paid peer worker role. 

We are a key partner within Open Mental Health Network (OMHN) providing the lead peer provision for Somerset. Within the OMHN there is a Peer framework we work from and employ our Peer Support Connection Coordinators and tutors that deliver pastoral supervision/training and working closely with the various partners in their localities. 

The project is funded by gaining various grants and contracts, some requiring going through a procurement process, securing future funding for sustainability of the project.

Main Duties & Responsibilities 

This role will be split into two sections namely: 

Contracts - working with CEO and directors 

• Research Develop and evaluate contracts with grant providers and commissioners 

• Provide advice and guidance to the different teams and agencies relating to contract generation and funding

• Review and monitor progress of contracts and ensure deliverables are on track by communicating with teams across the business 

• Create and maintain relationships with grant providers and serve as the singular point of contact for matters concerning contracts 

• Analyse data for performance targets, evaluative outcomes and /or other data specified, creating accurate reporting, storing securely, and communicating to stakeholders

• Monitor the maintenance of records for correspondence and documentation in relation to established contracts and those in progress (working with Admin and IT team as required) 

• Monitor contracts and move forward with extension or renewal according to what’s best for the company 

• Identify & raise with CEO any contract-related problems that may arise with other parties and internally with the company itself 

Training - working with team of tutors/facilitators/peer workers 

• Develop WATCH training prospectus – a range of mental health training workshops/courses for individuals or organisations using a blended model of delivery including online provision

• For contracted work (Open Mental Health Network, Somerset Skills & Learning, Somerset County Council, Well Wessex, etc.), oversee the planning and coordination of programme delivery (including staff planning) 

• Ensure processes are in place for safe delivery of training, including recruitment of trainee’s, evaluation, and feedback for all training activities 

• Set required standards of the training services and monitor the quality. 

• Take responsibility for any external reviews and evaluations of training

• Work with other training providers and organisations that offer peer related provision, to not duplicate but enhance the peer model and ethos into related services,

• Line manage the Peer Support provision and Training staff

Your experience:

• Experience of adult training, lifelong learning, planning and evaluating learning programmes 

• Experience in organising and tracking grant contracts 

• Experience in mental health, professional or personal 

• Worked with individuals/groups supporting individuals with mental health issues. 

• Familiarity and belief in the person-centred approach 

• Experience using Teams/Zoom and One Drive 

• Working with volunteers 
• Work in the voluntary sector
• Knowledge of the theory of the person-centred approach and the work of Carl Rogers desirable 
• Knowledge of Peer support e.g. Sherry Mead approach to intentional peer support 

Skills and personal qualities

• Excellent organisational, communication, and writing skills 

• Proficient user of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point 

• Able to balance an atmosphere of support and challenge e.g., Look and affirm good ethical practice and offer constructive feedback. 

• Able to effectively plan workload and meet deadlines 

• Develop training packages 

• Ability to utilise effectively supervision for personal development 

• Passion for working with people who are dealing with their mental health issues and trying to find their true potential 

Closing date for applications is 25th October. Interviews to be held week commencing 1st November. 

We are looking for an experienced benefits advisor to work with us in establishing a new service for parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex. 

Our benefits advisor will be responsible for delivering advice, guidance and support to parents in completing applications (and where necessary, making appeals on negative decisions) for Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments. In time the postholder will also give advice and guidance on other relevant benefits, grants and sources of financial support. 
 
The new postholder will work with our Director and Operations Manager in developing a multi-layer service that will include awareness raising, maintaining and developing our information resources, and recruiting, training and supporting a team of volunteers who will support parents in completing applications. The role will suit someone who is energised by developing a new service and has the flair, skill and drive to make that happen. Training and support will also be available, making this an exciting opportunity to have a significant impact whilst furthering your own professional development.

Please note, this a home based role with some travel in West Sussex.